After these things, Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea: and there he abode with them and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Ennon near Salim: because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. And there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews, concerning purification. And they came to John and said to him: Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou gavest testimony: behold, he baptizeth and all men come to him. John answered and said: A man cannot receive any thing, unless it be given him from heaven. You yourselves do bear me witness that I said that I am not Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth Him, rejoiceth with joy because of the bridegroom’s voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase: but I must decrease.
